The Washington Commanders face key decisions before the November 10 trade deadline. After a disappointing Week 9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, fierce debate already surrounds general manager Adam Peters' approach.
Things are not going well. The Commanders have several holes to address, but Peters has been reluctant to throw draft picks at them like he did last year.
Pressure is building. Head coach Dan Quinn is under significant strain to save his job, and they are now three games behind the New York Giants for the division lead before traveling to the G-Men for Thursday Night Football.
It's a precarious situation. The Commanders have taken calls and made calls about possible movement, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Peters stand pat and take his medicine, too.
The rumor mill is swirling, and the Commanders are still coming up in conversations. We'll keep you up to date here, and be sure to bookmark the page as things develop.
- Latest Commanders trade rumors
- Potential Commanders trade targets
- Potential players Commanders could trade
- Positions of need
- Tradable draft picks
Latest Commanders trade rumors
Commanders named team to watch in Josh Downs sweepstakes
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Commanders are reportedly among the teams to watch in a trade for Josh Downs. That doesn't seem especially likely in the circumstances, but it's something to monitor in the hours ahead before the receiver's fate is determined one way or another.
Growing calls for Commanders to stand pat
The Commanders are in a difficult spot before the trade deadline. Desperation leads to mistakes, but calls are growing in the media to hold firm after another disappointing loss to the Rams. At 2-5-1, Peters needs to think about it.
Potential Commanders trade targets
Josh Downs, WR
The Indianapolis Colts are holding a fire sale, and the Commanders are desperately short of receiver options. Josh Downs submitted a trade request, and reports suggest another team has already agreed to part with a fourth-round pick if a better offer doesn't arrive. If Washington goes for Downs, it may also have to pay him next spring.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, OL
The Commanders' gamble at center this offseason was an unmitigated disaster. Nick Allegretti isn't being treated as a center anymore, which is a damning indictment of Adam Peters' assessment. Lucas Patrick is now in concussion protocol, leaving only sixth-round rookie Matt Gulbin to fill the void. That won't suffice, so targeting Jackson Powers-Johnson is worth considering.
Brian Thomas Jr., WR
Jayden Daniels' buddy from their time together at LSU could use a change of scenery. Things haven't worked out between Brian Thomas Jr. and the Jacksonville Jaguars, but the AFC South club isn't in the business of moving young players. They also recently traded for safety Jessie Bates, meaning they are now all-in on going deep into the postseason.
Jonathan Taylor, RB
This would be on the more ambitious side, but placing running back Jonathan Taylor next to Jayden Daniels in the backfield would solve a lot of problems. He could be the next to go from Indianapolis if the price is right, but that will likely cost more than the Commanders are willing to pay.
Derrick Brown, DL
The Commanders need help in the defensive trenches. Javon Kinlaw and Daron Payne are both out for the season, and while Shy Tuttle and Tim Settle Jr. are serviceable, landing someone like Derrick Brown from the Carolina Panthers would be a massive statement of intent.
Potential players Commanders could trade
Mike Sainristil, CB
The Commanders lost their two most tradable pieces — wide receiver Terry McLaurin and Payne — due to season-ending injuries. That makes parting ways with anyone else difficult, but given how cornerback Mike Sainristil has plunged to irrelevance on the defensive rotation, it might be time to give up on this project.
K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB
Trading your most productive edge rusher might not be too smart, but the Commanders still have to pay K'Lavon Chaisson after the campaign. If they don't want to lose him for nothing, especially after giving Odafe Oweh $96 million, then exploring a move might be considered if it's a whopping offer.
Dorance Armstrong Jr., OLB
The Commanders are working Dorance Armstrong Jr. back into the lineup after his torn ACL. But like Chaisson, he is also looking for a new deal next year, and Washington won't keep both around. That makes him an enticing trade candidate if there is a willing suitor.
Stefon Diggs, WR
The Commanders don't have much depth at receiver, but for the first time since Stefon Diggs joined the Commanders, there was apparent friction between the receiver and the coaching staff over his lack of targets in Week 9. It's something to monitor, but Washington wouldn't be doing Jayden Daniels any favors by trading Diggs.
Positions of need
Center
As mentioned previously, the Commanders botched the center position this offseason. Peters might have to suck it up and admit defeat, especially if he wants to keep Daniels healthy for the second half of 2026.
Defensive Line
Kinlaw and Payne are done for the season, and they might have played their last games for Washington. Good defensive linemen don't come cheap; just ask the Chicago Bears. But help in the trenches would be welcome.
Wide receiver
Daniels needs more firepower. The Commanders are suffering without McLaurin, and aside from third-round rookie Antonio Williams, nobody really comes with long-term upside. That has to change to fully maximize the quarterback's obvious qualities.
Running back
The Commanders don't have a bell-cow running back to take the pressure off Daniels. They opted for a committee approach during the offseason, and it hasn't gone well. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is also on injured reserve, so adding another if the price is right shouldn't be ruled out.
Tradable draft picks
2027:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
2028:
Round 1
Round 2
Round 3
Round 4
Round 5
Round 6
Round 7
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